Cosmetic formulations of having high aqueous solubility and low flash points

ABSTRACT

The invention provides compositions comprising  
     a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound, and  
     b) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.  
     The compositions have low setting points, good solubility and dispersibility in aqueous media and a low flash point.

[0001] The invention relates to compositions comprising quaternaryammonium compounds which have a low setting point, good solubility ordispersibility in aqueous media and a low flash point and are thushighly suitable for formulating quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0002] Cosmetic compositions, such as, for example, hair-treatmentcompositions, often comprise sparingly water-soluble quaternary ammoniumcompounds which have a long-chain alkyl or alkenyl group.

[0003] Such compositions are usually formulated as aqueous dispersions,emulsions, microemulsions, gels or else in aerosol form and are used,for example, as shampoos, hair cures, hair rinses, etc.

[0004] For the manufacturer of such compositions, it is highlyadvantageous to prepare the quaternary ammonium compounds as compoundedmaterials or formulations in the form of flakes, pellets or pasteswhich, as well as having a high cationic active ingredient content, havea low setting point and good solubility or dispersibility in aqueousmedia.

[0005] In accordance with the prior art, the above requirements can beachieved by adding short-chain alcohols, in particular isopropanol, inamounts of from 15 to 20% by weight. Because of their low boiling andflash points, however, such short-chain alcohols are problematical.

[0006] As described in WO 00/28950, the short-chain alcohols can bereplaced by linear fatty alcohols (e.g. cetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol,behenyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol). In order to lower the setting pointor melting point of the mixtures to temperatures below 100° C., glycols,such as, for example, propylene glycol or 1,3-butanediol, areadditionally added.

[0007] WO 00/28950 further emphasizes that the fatty alcohols areadvantageously homogeneous fatty alcohols which contain less than about10% by weight of another fatty alcohol.

[0008] WO 00/28950 further explains that replacement of the short-chainalcohols by glycols without the simultaneous addition of fatty alcoholsleads to formulations which can not be pelleted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Surprisingly, it has now been found that compositions comprisingquaternary ammonium compounds and at least one polyhydric alcohol having5 to 12 carbon atoms have low setting and melting points, goodsolubility and dispersability in aqueous media and a low flashpoint.

[0010] Surprisingly, the compositions can be free from fatty alcoholsand linear or branched alcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms and arenevertheless sufficiently hard and brittle at room temperature to allowpelleting or flaking. The novel compositions are thus highly suitablefor formulating quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0011] The invention provides compositions comprising

[0012] a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound according to formula(1)

[0013] R₁ is an unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12to 36 carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)- or a group R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)-,where R₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms and nis a number from 1 to 8,

[0014] and

[0015] R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently of one another, may be identical ordifferent and are a -CH₃, CH₃CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH₂OHor -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH group

[0016] and

[0017] X⁻ is an anion,

[0018] and

[0019] b) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.In a preferred embodiment, the compositions are free from fatty alcoholsand linear or branched monoalcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The proportion of quaternary ammonium compounds a), based on thefinished compositions, is preferably 30 to 90% by weight, particularlypreferably 40 to 85% by weight, especially preferably 45 to 85% byweight, very particularly preferably 60 to 82% by weight. Surprisingly,it has been found that the compositions can advantageously have highproportions by weight of quaternary ammonium compounds a) coupled withsimultaneously low melting and setting points.

[0021] Quaternary ammonium compounds a) are preferably(C₁₂-C₃₆)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds, particularly preferably(C₁₄-C₃₀)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds, especially preferably(C₁₆-C₂₄)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds.

[0022] Particular preference is given to alkyltrimethylammoniumcompounds in which the alkyl radical is a behenyl, erucyl, cetyl orstearyl radical. The anion X⁻ in formula (1) may be any desiredcharge-balancing anion;

[0023] preferably chloride, iodide, bromide, methosulfate,hydrogensulfate, lactate and/or citrate, particularly preferablychloride and methosulfate.

[0024] A very particularly suitable quaternary ammonium compound a) isbehenyltrimethylammonium chloride.

[0025] The proportion of polyhydric alcohols b) is, based on thefinished compositions, preferably 10 to 70% by weight, particularlypreferably 15 to 60% by weight, especially preferably 15 to 55% byweight.

[0026] Polyhydric alcohols b) are to be understood as meaning thosewhich carry at least two OH groups in the molecule. The polyhydricalcohols b) may be unbranched or branched and saturated or unsaturated.In addition, the polyhydric alcohols b) can be constructed from lowmolecular weight polyhydric alcohols linked via ether bridges.

[0027] Suitable polyhydric alcohols b) are preferably pentanediol,hexanediol, hexylene glycol, trimethylpentanediol, heptanediol,octanediol, nonanediol, decanediol, undecanediol, dodecanediol,diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol,sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol and/or mixtures thereof.

[0028] Particularly preferred polyhydric alcohols b) are1,5-pentanediol, 1,2pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol,1,7-heptanediol, 1,2-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,2-octanediol,1,9-nonanediol, 1,2-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,2-decanediol,1,11-undecanediol, 1,2-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol,1,2-dodecanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropyleneglycol, tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol and/or mixturesthereof.

[0029] Especially preferred polyhydric alcohols b) are 1,6-hexanediol,dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixtures thereof.

[0030] Particularly advantageous application properties are exhibited bycompositions which comprise at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 6to 8 carbon atoms, which can optionally be used together with otherpolyhydric alcohols b).

[0031] Optionally, to improve the performance properties, thecompositions according to the invention may comprise unbranched orbranched monoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0032] Preferred monoalcohols are ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,butanol, isobutanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferablyisopropanol.

[0033] Based on the finished compositions, the compositions preferablycomprise less than 5% by weight, particularly preferably less than 3% byweight, of such monoalcohols.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the compositions are free fromunbranched or branched monoalcohols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0035] The compositions according to the invention preferably havesetting points below 100° C., particularly preferably below 95° C.,especially preferably below 90° C., very particularly preferably below85° C.

[0036] The flash points of the compositions according to the inventionare preferably above 80° C., particularly preferably above 100° C.

[0037] The compositions according to the invention may, for example, bepellets, flakes, extrudates, pastes, compacts, powders, and alsoemulsions or dispersions.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to theinvention are pellets or flakes, particularly preferably pellets.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to theinvention are prepared by preparing a mixture comprising

[0040] i) at least one quaternary ammoniun compound a), optionallycontaining a branched or unbranched monoalcohol having 1 to 4 carbonatoms,

[0041] ii) at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 5 to 12 carbonatoms and

[0042] iii) optionally at least one unbranched or branched monoalcoholhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the components i) to iii) are mixedand then heated, optionally with stirring. Here, the temperature ischosen so that the mixture is in the form of a melt. Preference is givento temperatures of from 70 to 120° C., particularly preferably 80 to110° C. In another preferred embodiment, the component i) is introducedas a melt.

[0044] The quaternary ammonium compounds a) of component i) can beprepared in a known manner by alkylation of a tertiary amine in thepresence of at least one unbranched or branched monoalcohol having 1 to4 carbon atoms, preferably ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol,isobutanol and tert-butanol, particularly preferably isopropanol. Thequaternary ammonium compounds are preferably used as pellets orparticularly preferably as powders. In a preferred embodiment, thequaternary ammonium compounds comprise less than 5% by weight,preferably less than 3% by weight, of monoalcohols. In a furtherpreferred embodiment, the quaternary ammonium compounds comprise 10 to25% by weight of monoalcohols. The compositions according to theinvention preferably have a total content of unbranched or branchedmonoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms of less than 5% by weight,particularly preferably less than 3% by weight.

[0045] In a likewise preferred embodiment, the compositions according tothe invention are free from unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1to 4 carbon atoms.

[0046] To establish the desired content of monoalcohols in thecompositions according to the invention, the components i) and/or iii)are correspondingly chosen and calculated and/or the monoalcohols arepartially or completely removed from the component i) beforehand.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the monoalcohols are subsequentlyremoved from the compositions according to the invention except for thedesired residual content. The monoalcohols are preferably stripped offat 700 to 10 mbar, preferably 400 to 70 mbar, and 60 to 90° C.

[0048] The monoalcohols can also be distilled off at atmosphericpressure in suitable evaporation devices (e.g. thin-film evaporator) attemperatures up to 120° C.

[0049] Surprisingly, it has been found that the compositions accordingto the invention can also be prepared “in situ” by alkylation of

[0050] i) at least one tertiary amine NR₁R₂R₃, where R₁ is an unbranchedor branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms, a groupR₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)- or a group R₅COO(CH₂)n-, where R₅ is an alkyl oralkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to8, and R₂ and R₃, independently of one another, may be identical ordifferent and are CH₃-, CH₃CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂- or-CH₂CH₂(OH), by

[0051] ii) at least one alkylating agent chosen from

[0052] a) R₄X, where R₄ is -CH₃, CH₃CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂- or-CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH), and X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H or methosulfate, and/or

[0053] b) ethylene oxide and an acid HX, where X is Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H,citrate or lactate, in the presence of

[0054] iii) at least one polyhydric alcohol b) having 5 to 12 carbonatoms and

[0055] iv) optionally at least one unbranched or branched monoalcoholhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0056] Preferably, in the reaction, the feed amounts of polyhydricalcohols b) and optionally unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1to 4 carbon atoms are chosen to correspond to the compositions alreadydescribed above as preferred for the compositions according to theinvention. The contents can also be adjusted by subsequent addition orremoval of the components.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, no unbranched or branched monoalcoholshaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms are used in the reaction.

[0058] The compositions according to the invention prepared by theabove-described processes can be converted as homogeneous orinhomogeneous melts by cooling into pellets, flakes, extrudates orpastes or, after cooling, be further processed to give compacts,powders, granulates, emulsions or dispersions.

[0059] The compositions are preferably further processed into pellets orflakes, particularly preferably pellets.

[0060] The compositions according to the invention are generallysuitable for the preparation of compositions comprising quaternaryammonium compounds.

[0061] The compositions are particularly suitable for the preparation ofcosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions.

[0062] In particular, the compositions are suitable for the preparationof hair-treatment compositions.

[0063] The invention accordingly also provides for the use of thecompositions according to the invention for the preparation ofcompositions, preferably cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceuticalcompositions, in particular hair-treatment compositions, comprisingquaternary ammonium compounds.

[0064] Examples of preferred compositions are shampoos, rinse-off hairconditioners, cream rinses, clear rinses, hair cures, hair colorants andhair tints, permanent waving compositions, hair gels, hair conditionersin aerosol, spray and fluid form, 2-in-1 shower preparations, creamshower preparations, skincare compositions, day creams, night creams,care creams, nutrient creams, body lotions and ointments.

[0065] The cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositionscomprise the compositions according to the invention, based on thefinished compositions, preferably in amounts of from 0.1 to 15% byweight, particularly preferably 1 to 10% by weight, particularlypreferably 1 to 7% by weight.

[0066] The cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions cancomprise, as further auxiliaries and additives, all customarysurfactants, oily substances, emulsifiers and coemulsifiers, cationicpolymers, film formers, super fatting agents, moisture-donating agents,stabilizers, biogenic active ingredients, preservatives, pearlizingagents, dyes and fragrances, solvents, glycerol, hydrotropic agents,opacifiers, thickeners, dispersants, protein derivatives, such asgelatins, collagen hydrolyzates, natural and synthetic-basedpolypeptides, egg yolk, lecithin, lanolin and lanolin derivatives,silicones, deodorizing agents, substances with a keratolytic andkeratoplastic action, enzymes, carrier substances, antioxidants, UVlight protection filters, pigments and metal oxides, and antimicrobiallyeffective agents.

[0067] The surfactants used may be anionic, cationic, nonionic,amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactants.

[0068] Preferred nonionic surfactants contain, as hydrophilic group, apolyol group, a polyolalkenyl ether group, or a combination of polyoland polyglycol ether groups. Preference is given to addition products offrom 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide, 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxidetogether with up to 5 mol of propylene oxide or of up to 5 mol ofpropylene oxide onto linear fatty alcohols having 8 to 22 carbon atomsand alkylphenols having 8 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group,(C₁₂-C₁₉)-fatty acid mono- and diesters of addition products of from 1to 30 mol of ethylene oxide onto glycerol, glycerol mono- and diestersand sorbitan mono- and diesters of saturated and unsaturated(C₈-C₁₈)-fatty acids and ethylene oxide addition products thereof,(C₈-C₁₈)-alkylmono- and oligoglycosides and ethoxylated analogs thereof,addition products of from 10 to 60 mol of ethylene oxide onto castor oiland hydrogenated castor oil, ethoxylated and nonethoxylated mono-, di-and trialkyl monophosphoric esters, in particular mono-, di- andtri(lauryl tetraglycol ether) o-phosphoric esters and mono-, di- andtri(cetyl tetraglycol ether) o-phosphoric esters.

[0069] Preferred amphoteric surfactants carry a (C₈-C₁₈)-alkyl or acylgroup and at least one free amino group and at least one -COOH or -SO₃Hgroup. Preference is given to N-acylglycines, N-alkylpropionic acid,N-alkylaminobutyric acids, N-alkyliminodipropionic acids,N-hydroxyethyl-N-alkylamidopropylglycines, N-alkyltaurines,N-alkylsarcosines, 2-alkylaminopropionic acids and alkylaminoaceticacids having in each case 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.Particular preference is given to N-cocoalkylaminopropionate,cocoacylaminoethylaminopropionate and (C₁₂-C₁₈)-alkylsarcosines.

[0070] Particularly suitable zwitterionic surfactants are betaines, suchas, for example, N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammonium glycinates, e.g.cocoalkyldimethylammonium glycinates,N-acylaminopropyl-N-N-dimethylammonium glycinates, e.g.cocoacylaminopropyldimethylammonium glycinate,2-alkyl-3-carboxymethyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazolines having in each case 8to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or acyl group and cocoacylaminoethylhydroxyethylcarboxymethyl glycinate.

[0071] The compositions preferably comprise surfactant mixtures,particular preference being given to mixtures of nonionic andzwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to1:5 or mixtures of nonionogenic surfactants and any desired mixtures ofzwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to1:5.

[0072] Suitable oily substances are all known oils, fats and waxes ofmineral, animal, vegetable and synthetic origin. Preference is given, asoil and fatty components, to diallyl ethers having a total of 12 to 24carbon atoms, fatty acid esters having a total of 12 to 26 carbon atoms,liquid hydrocarbons having 10 to 32 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

[0073] Suitable fatty acid esters are, for example, methyl palmitate,ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, n-hexyl laurate, n-butyl stearate andcetyl/stearyl isononanoate.

[0074] Particular preference is given to paraffin oils, vaseline,vegetable oils, synthetic triglycerides, such as, for example, glyceryltricaprylate, and also silicone oils.

[0075] Super fatting agents which may be used are substances such as,for example, lanolin and lecithin, and polyethoxylated or acylatedlanolin and lecithin derivatives, polyol fatty acid esters,monoglycerides and fatty acid alkanolamides.

[0076] Suitable bodying agents are fatty alcohols having 12 to 22,preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms, and also partial glycerides.

[0077] Further thickeners which may be used are polysaccharides, inparticular xantham gum, guar-guar, agar-agar, alginates,carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, relatively high molecularweight polyethylene glycol mono- and diesters of fatty acids,polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone, surfactantssuch as, for example, ethoxylated fatty acid glycerides, esters of fattyacids with polyols such as, for example, pentaerythritol ortrimethylpropane, fatty alcohol ethoxylates or alkyl oligoglucosides,and electrolytes, such as sodium chloride and ammonium chloride.

[0078] Examples of suitable silicone compounds are dimethylpolysiloxane,methylphenylpolysiloxanes, cyclic silicones, and amino-, fatty acid-,alcohol-, polyether-, epoxy-, fluorine- and/or alkyl-modified siliconecompounds which, at room temperature, may either be in liquid form or inthe form of a resin.

[0079] Biogenic active ingredients are to be understood as meaning, forexample, Bisabolol®, Allantoin®, Phytantriol®, Panthenol®, AHAs, plantextracts and vitamin complexes.

[0080] Antidandruff agents which can be used are Climbazole®,Octopirox®, Oxiconazole® and Zinc Pyrethione®.

[0081] Customary film formers are chitosan, microcrystalline chitosan,quaternized chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymers, polymers of the acrylic acid series, quaternarycellulose derivatives, collagen, hyaluronic acid and salts thereof andsimilar compounds.

[0082] To improve the flow behavior, hydrotropic agents, such as, forexample, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol or glucose, canalso be used.

[0083] Suitable preservatives are, for example, phenoxyethanol,formaldehyde solution, parabens, pentanediol and sorbic acid.

[0084] An available moisture-donating substance is, for example,isopropyl palmitate, glycerol and/or sorbitol.

[0085] The total content of auxiliaries and additives in thecompositions is preferably 1 to 50% by weight, particularly preferably 5to 40% by weight.

EXAMPLES

[0086] The examples below serve to illustrate the invention, but do notlimit it.

[0087] The quat active content of the compositions according to theinvention was determined by cation titration. The setting points weredetermined by slowly reducing the temperature.

Example 1:

[0088] 110.54 g of ®Genamin KDMP (behenyltrimethylammonium chloridepellets with a content of about 19% isopropanol, Clariant GmbH) weremixed into 38.37 g of dipropylene glycol in a 1000 ml round-bottomedflask and melted in an oil bath at 70-90° C. After a homogeneous melthad formed, a vacuum of initially about 700 mbar was applied on therotary evaporator and the isopropanol was distilled off over the courseof about 3 hours. For this, the vacuum was continuously increased toabout 22 mbar. Subsequently, residues of the volatile solvent wereremoved over the course of 2 hours at a bath temperature of 90° C. and avacuum of 16 mbar. This gave a clear solution which solidified at 69-73°C. and was present in completely molten form again at 90° C. At 25° C.,the composition was wax-like solid. The quat active content was 70% byweight.

Example 2:

[0089] A composition of 75% by weight of behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride, 22% by weight of dipropylene glycol and 3% by weight ofisopropanol was prepared analogously to example 1. This gave a clearsolution which solidified at about 73-77° C. and was present incompletely molten form again at 90° C. At 25° C., the composition waswax-like solid. The quat active content was 75% by weight.

Example 3:

[0090] A composition of 75% by weight of behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride, 23.7% by weight of 1,6-hexanediol and 1.3% by weight ofisopropanol was prepared analogously to example 1. This gave a clearsolution which solidified at about 71° C. and was present in completelymolten form again at 90° C. At 25° C., the composition was wax-likesolid. The quat active content was 75% by weight.

Example 4:

[0091] ®Genamin KDMP (behenyltrimethylammonium chloride pellets with acontent of about 19% isopropanol, Clariant GmbH) were dried to constantweight in a vacuum furnace to remove the solvent for 14 hours at atemperature of 74° C. and a pressure of about 200 mbar (the weight losscorresponded here to the expected amount of solvent of about 19%). Thepellets dried in this way were ground to a powder and sieved (sievewidth: 630 pm). 4.9 g of dried and sieved behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride were introduced into a 50 ml powder bottle made of glass andtreated with 5.1 g of dipropylene glycol. After the bottle had beensealed, the mixture was heated at about 100° C. for 4 hours. During thisperiod, the sample was stirred a number of times using a spatula inorder to homogenize the mixture. This gave a clear solution whichsolidified at about 45° C. and was present in completely molten formagain at 70° C. The quat active content was 49% by weight.

Example 5:

[0092] A composition comprising 49% by weight ofbehenyltrimethylammonium chloride and 51% by weight of 1,6-hexanediolwas prepared analogously to example 4. This gave a clear melt whichsolidified at about 42° C. and was present in completely molten formagain at 70° C. At 25° C., the composition was wax-like solid. The quatactive content was 49% by weight.

[0093] Formulation examples of cosmetic formulations:

[0094] The composition according to the invention from example 3 wasmelted and pelletized by being dropped onto a cold metal plate. Thepellets obtained in this way were then incorporated into thecorresponding formulations.

Example 6: Cream rinse

[0095] A Composition from Ex. 3 2% by weight  ® HOSTAPHAT KL 340 D 1.5%by weight (trilaureth-4 phosphate, Clariant) Cetyl alcohol 3% by weightParaffin oil 1% by weight B Water 92.5% by weight C Citric acid q.s.Preparation: I) Melt A at 75° C. II) Heat B to 75° C. III) Stir B into Aand cool IV) Adjust pH to pH = 4 using C.

Example 7: O/W handcream

[0096] A Composition from Ex. 3 2.7% by weight  ® HOSTACERIN DGSB 6% byweight (PEG-4 polyglycerol-2-stearate, Clariant) Paraffin oil, highviscosity 10% by weight Isopropyl palmitate 10% by weight B Water 70.9%by weight Preservative q.s. C Perfume 0.4% by weight Preparation: I)Melt A at 80° C. II) Heat B to 80° C. III) Stir B into A and coll IV)Add C at 35° C.

Example 8: Hair conditioner with pearlescent effect

[0097] A Composition from Ex. 3 2% by weight  ® Genamin KSL 9% by weight(PEG-5 stearyl ammonium lactate, Clariant)  ® Hostaphat KL 340 D 1.5% byweight (trilaureth-4 phosphate, Clariant) Jojoba oil 1.0% by weight B  ®Tylose H 100 000 YP2 1.5% by weight (Hydroxyethylcellulose, Clariant) CWater ad 100% D Perfume 0.50% Panthenol 0.50%  ® Genapol PDC 4% byweight (Glycol distearate, laureth-4, cocamidopropyl betaine, mica andtitanium dioxide, Clariant) E Citric acid q.s. Preparation: I) A isheated to 75° C. II) B is carefully dissolved in C and heated to about75° C. III) II is added to I with stirring IV) Leave to cool withstirring, add D to III at 30° C. V) Adjust pH to pH = 4 using E

1. A composition comprising a) at least one quaternary ammonium compoundaccording to formula (1)

R₁ is an unbranched or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)- or a group R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)-, whereR₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms and n is anumber from 1 to 8, and R₂, R₃ and R₄, independently of one another, maybe identical or different and are a -CH₃, CH₃CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂-,CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂-, CH₂CH₂OH or -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH group and X⁻ is an anion, andb) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.
 2. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, which is free from fatty alcohols andunbranched or branched monoalcohols having 8 to 36 carbon atoms.
 3. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a content of quaternaryammonium compounds a), based on a finished composition, is 30 to 90% byweight.
 4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternaryammonium compounds a) are (C₁₂-C₃₆)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds. 5.The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anion X in formula(1) is selected from the group consisting of chloride, iodide, bromide,methosulfate, hydrogensulfate, lactate, citrate, and mixtures thereof.6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternaryammonium compound a) is behenyltrimethylammonium chloride.
 7. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a content of polyhydricalcohols b), based on the finished composition, is 10 to 70% by weight.8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyhydricalcohols b) are selected from the group consisting of pentanediol,hexanediol, hexylene glycol, trimethylpentanediol, heptanediol,octanediol, nonanediol, decanediol, undecanediol, dodecanediol,diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol,sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and mixtures thereof.
 9. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the polyhydric alcohols b) are selected fromthe group consisting of 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-pentanediol,1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,2-heptanediol,1,8-octanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,2-nonanediol,1,10-decanediol, 1,2-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,2-undecanediol,1,12-dodecanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, diglycerol, triglycerol, dipropyleneglycol, tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and mixturesthereof.
 10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thepolyhydric alcohols b) are selected from the group consisting of1,6-hexanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol,2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, dipropylene glycol, and mixturesthereof.
 11. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at leastone polyhydric alcohol b) has 6 to 8 carbon atoms.
 12. The compositionas claimed in claim 2, which comprises, based on a finished composition,less than 5% by weight, of unbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1to 4 carbon atoms.
 13. The composition as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe monoalcohols include ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol,isobutanol and tert-butanol. 100 ° C.
 14. The composition as claimed inclaim 1, which has a setting point below
 15. The composition as claimedin claim 1, which has a flash point above 80° C.
 16. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, which is in a form selected from the groupconsisting of pellets, flakes, extrudates, pastes, compacts, powders,emulsions, dispersions, and mixtures thereof.
 17. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, which is in a form of pellets or flakes.
 18. Aprocess for the preparation of the composition of claim 1, whichcomprises preparing a mixture comprising i) at least one quaternaryammoniun compound a), and ii) at least one polyhydric alcohol having 5to 12 carbon atoms.
 19. A process for the preparation of a compositionas claimed in claim 1, which comprises alkylating i) at least onetertiary amine NR₁R₂R₃, where R¹ is an unbranched or branched alkyl oralkenyl group having 12 to 36 carbon atoms, a group R₅CONH(CH₂)_(n)- ora group R₅COO(CH₂)_(n)-, where R₅ is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 12to 36 carbon atoms and n is a number from 1 to 8, and R₂ and R₃,independently of one another, may be identical or different and are-CH₃, CH₃CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂- or -CH₂CH₂(OH), by ii) at leastone alkylating agent chosen from a) R4X, where R₄ is -CH₃-, CH₃CH₂-,CH₃CH₂CH₂-, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂- or -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂(OH), and X is Cl, I, Br,OSO₃H or methosulfate, and/or b) ethylene oxide and an acid HX, where Xis Cl, I, Br, OSO₃H, citrate or lactate, in the presence of iii) atleast one polyhydric alcohol having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.
 20. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a content of quaternaryammonium compounds a), based on the finished composition, is 40 to 85%by weight.
 21. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein a contentof quaternary ammonium compounds a), based on the finished composition,is 45 to 85% by weight.
 22. The composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the quaternary ammonium compounds a) are(C₁₄-C₃₀)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds.
 23. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the quaternary ammonium compounds a) are(C₁₆-C₂₄)-alkyltrimethylammonium compounds.
 24. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the anion X⁻ in formula (1) is chlorideand/or methosulfate.
 25. The composition as claimed in claim 1, whereina content of polyhydric alcohols b), based on a finished composition, is15 to 60% by weight.
 26. The composition as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe content of polyhydric alcohols b), based on a finished composition,is 15 to 55% by weight.
 27. The composition as claimed in claim 1, whichcomprises, based on a finished composition, less than 3% by weight, ofunbranched or branched monoalcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 28. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 12, wherein the monoalcohols compriseisopropanol.
 29. The composition as claimed in claim 1, which has asetting point below 95° C.
 30. The composition as claimed in claim 1,which has a setting point below 90° C.
 31. The composition as claimed inclaim 1, which has a setting point below 85° C.
 32. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, which has a flash point above 100° C.
 33. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, which is in a form of pellets. 34.The process of claim 18, wherein component i) contains a branched orunbranched monoalcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 35. The process ofclaim 18, further comprising adding to the mixture at least oneunbranched or branched monoalcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 36. Theprocess of claim 19, further comprising alkylating said tertiary aminein the presence of at least one unbranched or branched monoalcoholhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 37. A cosmetic preparation comprising thecomposition of claim
 1. 38. A dermatological preparation comprising thecomposition of claim
 1. 39. A pharmaceutical preparation comprising thecomposition of claim
 1. 40. A hair-treatment preparation comprising thecomposition of claim
 1. 41. A hair-treatment composition as defined inclaim 1 in the form of shampoos, rinse-off hair conditioners, creamrinses, clear rinses, hair cures, hair colorants and hair tints,permanent waving compositions, hair gels and hair conditioners inaerosol form, spray form, fluid form, and mixtures thereof.
 42. Aprocess for treating hair comprising contacting hair with thehair-treatment preparation of claim 40.